Tobey was speechless. "You… what?"

Victoria felt herself blush. "You're just so smart and talented and… well, I… I want to get to know you better. And for you to know me better. And…" Victoria realized that she was babbling, so she promptly shut her mouth.

Tobey was aghast. Victoria Best, Miss I'm-the-Best-at-Everything, liked him of all people. It was flattering, sure, but the feelings weren't mutual. He couldn't stand how Victoria couldn't accept that no one is the best at everything. She thought she was perfect. How could even try to work with her? Everything he did would be below her standard, and he'd hear about it for sure.

"I'm sorry, Victoria, but I just don't think it will work," he said coldly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work." He moved toward the hall.

Victoria leaped to her feet. "Please, Tobey. I promise I won't let my feelings interfere with our work. I won't say a thing while we're working, if I would distract you. I don't care if you don't like me, but at least give me a chance to show you who I really am and what I can do." Her eyes begged him to stay.

Tobey took a deep breath, thinking it over. "Well, all right. I suppose it won't hurt to at least look at your plans."

Victoria clapped her hands. "Oh, thank you, Tobey! You're the best!" She stopped. "I mean, you're great. After all, I'm the best."

Tobey rolled his eyes. "Of course, Victoria." He could see it was going to be a long collaboration.

She sat and patted the seat next to her. "Sit down and I'll show you my plans." She spread them out on the coffee table in front of her.

Tobey obliged, taking the spot next to his visitor.

Victoria pointed at her designs, leaning forward anxiously. "Now, I thought that we could take your original designs and alter them slightly to…" She trailed off. "Never mind. This will never work. I don't know a thing about robots." She started to collect her papers, shuffling them in a flustered manner.

Tobey grabbed her wrist. "No," he said forcefully. She released the papers from her grip, and they slid back into place on the table.

"These plans are excellent," he told her. His hand remained around her wrist. She lifted her head to meet his gaze.

"You…you really think so?" she whispered shyly.

He nodded. "Yes. With these plans, I can create my most intricate robot yet!"

"Don't you mean our robot?" Victoria said, a slight smile creeping onto her face. She moved her other hand on top of his fingers that wrapped warmly around her wrist.

Tobey glanced down at their hands, barely understanding how it all had happened. But he was about to become even more flummoxed.

"Victoria," he began. He didn't get to finish. Victoria leaned in, her lips touching his ever so lightly. Then she pulled away and stood.

"I just remembered that I have a recorder lesson to go to. You can keep the plans. If you want to review them, check to make sure everything will work… Feel free to make any changes." She smiled as if nothing had happened. "See you later." She flounced away, shutting the front door gently on her way out.

Tobey lifted his hand and touched his lips that tingled with the memory of Victoria's kiss. "Good bye, Victoria," he said softly to himself.